Summer’s hotter temperatures means your skin is exposed to sun, sea and chlorine, which can zap moisture, cause irritation or induce breakouts. Making small changes to your skincare routine can help maintain a flawless complexion all season long.

Tip #1 Lighter Moisturizer

You wouldn’t wear your wool socks to the pool, so don’t carry your rich moisturizer into summer. Keep skin hydrated without losing the anti-aging benefits of your face crème with the Overnight Rehab Crème or Green Tea Antioxidant Serum. Mineral Makeup Primer is another excellent choice that can be used by itself or under your makeup.

BONUS: Our Overnight Rehab Crème is on sale right now for $24, save $3!

Caffeine increases microcirculation, the circulation in the smallest blood vessels, which aids in transporting nutrients to cells. It is believed the combination of antioxidants and increased circulation contributes to the temporary reduction of cellulite, tighter pores and reduced puffiness. Increased circulation also effectively reduces inflammation and the appearance of fine lines and redness. To maximize the benefits of increased circulation, massage Latte Bar Soap or Espresso Body Scrub in a circular motion to legs, torso and arms.

A highly versatile vegetable oil, castor oil is obtained by cold pressing the seeds of the castor bean plant (ricinus communis), a native to Africa and India. Castor oil has been used for centuries and is an age-old remedy for medical and beauty maladies. Modern practitioners continue to use castor oil for its therapeutic benefits and as a laxative. It’s one of the first vegetable oils used in industrial applications because of its viscosity and lubricating ability, and is commonly used as a preservative on dry grains to help repel bugs.

Castor oil is extremely diverse and unique in its composition; it is able to withstand high temperatures without breaking down and maintains fluidity at both extremely high and low temperatures. Comprised of 90% ricinoleic acid plus oleic and linoleic fatty acids castor oil provides a myriad of topical benefits and is most known for:

Penetrating deep into skin, providing instant hydration and softening

Slowing the signs of aging by helping to stimulate collagen and elastin production

Fighting free radical damage

Acting as a carrier to transport other ingredients to the inner layers of the skin

Castor oil has long been used topically for anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal purposes. Although there are very few studies done in this area, antidotal evidence suggestions castor oil could help slow microbial growth and is often used in wound treatment.

The thick consistency and silky feel of castor oil makes it one of the top natural alternatives to petroleum jelly, making it an excellent option for lip products. Try the Organic Crème Lipstick, Organic Lip Gloss or handcrafted Lip Balm to protect and moisturize delicate skin. Castor oil is commonly used in the manufacturing of soaps because helps create a rich lather; try it in the new Detoxifying Charcoal Facial Soap. Believed to promote healthy circulation, castor oil can be found in products that can help relieve stress and tension such as the Cucumber Foot Soak.

Nature offers a bounty of botanicals to nourish, heal and thrive. We’re constantly reminded the importance of fueling our bodies with proteins, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids to maintain health, and what we feed our bodies effects the appearance of our skin. Aging is an integral part of life, but feeding the skin directly plays a key role in reducing the visible signs of aging in the skin.

Free radicals are produced through both natural processes and environmental stimulus and cause cells to breakdown over time, leading to signs of aging such as wrinkles and sagging skin. Antioxidants are anti-aging heroes sent to destroy free radicals and maintain skin’s elasticity, boost natural skin regeneration and reduce the signs of aging.

Lemongrass Spa Products offers a variety of essential oils, with multiple uses and benefits to enrich and intensify your skincare routine. Below will explain what each essential oil is best used for and how to easily incorporate the into your everyday routine.

2) Add 2-3 drops of essential oil to a warm washcloth or Lemongrass Spa’s Soft Boucle Facial Pads with Natural Cotton to improve your cleansing routine. If you like to steam your skin to cleanse your pores add 4-5 drops of essential oil per cup of water. This not only gives an aromatherapy effect but a deeper cleanse, too.

With the holiday season in full swing it’s important to take care of your skin. Festive parties and family gatherings require us to put our best face forward, and it all starts with a good skincare routine. Having a fresh, clean and natural skincare routine doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Here are three easy and quick (because who has a lot of time???) tips to get the best deals for those of us who are on a skincare budget.

Tip #1 Purchase skincare kits

Lemongrass Spa offers a variety of skincare kits ranging from a basic routine to a more advance routine. The best thing is they also offer them for a variety of different skin types! When you buy the face kits you are receiving full size products for an added discount then purchasing them individually. So to get the best bang for your buck I would advise in investing in a skin care kit! Another option is a Travel Face Care Kit; these trial sized kits make perfect stocking stuffers and are a great way for someone to try new products.

Maintaining dewy, youthful skin is considered the number one skincare concern for most women. Vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and other nutrients are needed to maintain skin’s suppleness and luminosity, and Lemongrass Spa offers two anti-aging botanical blends to meet these needs.

Most people require a daily face crème to help balance and maintain hydration, regardless of skin type. While using a crème formulated for the body won’t harm your face, you’re missing out on the anti-aging benefits of a concentrated formula made with specific skincare concerns in mind. We offer face crèmes formulated for normal, dryand oily/blemished skin, and each recipe is enhanced with a botanical blend to target fine lines, uneven skin tone, rough texture and other signs of aging. If you’ve been struggling with finding a skincare routine, Lemongrass Spa’s resident licensed esthetician, Lauren Wilkerson, can help you determine your skin type (click to read more).

Calendula Flower Extract: Used for centuries in wound care due to purported anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiseptic and antimicrobial properties; believed to assist in skin's consumption of proteins and collagen production.

Chamomile Flower Extract: Soothes and neutralizes inflamed skin and used in the treatment of skin conditions such as eczema dermatitis.

White Willow Bark Extract: The primary active compound in white willow bark is salicin. In the body, salicin can be converted into salicylic acid, which has powerful effects as an anti-inflammatory and pain-reliever.

Red Clover Extract: High concentration of vitamin C and minerals such as niacin, phosphorous and magnesium help reduce redness and itching from minor skin irritations.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride: Mix of fatty acids derived from coconut oil and vegetable glycerin used to prevent and restore moisture loss.

Bulgarian Lavender: Lavender has a long history of use in skin care including treating burns and rashes due to a variety of restorative properties such as anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial.

Rose Geranium: Helps balance oil production, improve circulation to skin, works as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory and is often used in the treatment of acne, bruises, burns, cuts, dermatitis and eczema.

Outside of a balanced diet, serums are the perfect delivery system for providing the nutrients your skin needs. Serums apply a concentrated dose of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to the skin. Light and fast absorbing, these elixirs penetrate the inner layers of the dermis for a lasting effect and can be used with all skin types. Lemongrass Spa enhances its Green Tea Antioxidant and Organic Anti Aging Serums with an essential oil blend and anti aging complex to boost the rejuvenating effects. There are visible benefits of daily use of serum including softer, suppler skin, smoother appearance and natural vibrancy. Customers who have used the serums have noticed an improvement of overall elasticity of skin and less dryness, even in cold weather when used regularly. The Green Tea Antioxidant is a favorite among those with oily prone skin types and Organic Anti Aging (Oil) Serum is the preference for normal to dry skin types.

Nicknamed the “Miracle Tree” and “Tree of Life” due to it’s many health benefits, the moringa tree produces one of the West’s favorite, yet relatively unknown, natural skin care ingredients. Moringa was first referenced around 2000 BC as a medicinal herb and is still revered in Ayurvedic medicine as a prevention and cure from a myriad of diseases; it was also used for skin care and perfumery in ancient Roman, Greek and Egyptian cultures.

Considered one of the best ingredients for anti-aging, moringa oil, extracted from the tree’s seeds, is light, quickly absorbed and penetrates deep into the skin. This nutrient and antioxidant rich oil is known for slowing the signs of aging, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and improving the appearance of sagging skin; antidotal evidence also points to moringa oil reducing the appearance of dark spots. Rich in vitamins and unsaturated fatty acids moringa oil is excellent for conditioning dry, chapped skin as well as restoring and maintaining moisture balance. Its antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties help heal minor skin irritations and blemishes. It is also believed to deliver vitamins and minerals to hair follicles, which strengthens hair and combats dryness.

Fun Fact Once oil is extracted from the moringa tree’s seeds, the remaining seed cake can be used to remove sediment and bacteria from dirty water, which is useful in areas industrial water treatment is not readily available.

A bright yellow North American wildflower, evening primrose’s name comes from the plant’s blooming in the evenings. This common wildflower was a dietary and medicinal staple in Native American cultures. The stems and roots were cooked and eaten while parts of the plant were used in medicinal treatments from wound compresses to tinctures and teas for a variety of ailments including digestive and menstrual issues. Renowned for it’s skin-rejuvenating quality, evening primrose oil has become a natural skin care star.

Evening primrose oil is cold pressed from the seeds of the Evening Primrose plant. The oil is comprised of omega-6 essential fatty acids Linolenic and Gamma Linolenic and omega-3 and omega-9 fatty acids Oleic, Palmitic and Stearic. Omega-6 fatty acids are important structural components of cell membranes but are not produced by the body, and evening primrose oil contains one of the highest concentrations of Linolenic Acid in the family of natural oils with concentrations typically between 55-72%. Fatty acids are integral to maintain the structural integrity of the skin, which reduces the signs of aging, and topical application has been found to be as effective for the skin healthy as oral supplements.

Antioxidants vitamin E and vitamin C are also packed into this golden oil; they help protect skin against environmental stressors and oxidation, which causes fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging. Evening primrose oil’s anti-inflammatory properties have made it an essential ingredient in creams and lotions to help soothe dryness, itchiness and redness associated with skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. Evening primrose oil is also considered to help those suffering from hormonal acne. The oil absorbs into the skin quickly, reduces transepidermal water loss and is considered hypoallergenic because skin irritation is rare.

Exfoliation is one the easiest steps you can add to your skincare routine to see immediate results; it instantly brightens and evens out your complexion, giving you a more youthful appearance. There are three different forms of exfoliation. The first two are chemical and enzymatic exfoliation. The third is manual, which is the category Lemongrass Spa Facial Polish and Microdermabrasion Crème fall under. Manual exfoliation is the process of using ingredients such as pumice, walnut shells, salt, sugar or even jojoba beads to manually buff away dead skin cells. Manual exfoliation can also mean using different types of materials such as washcloths, sponges or boucle pads to physically eliminate dead skin.

Exfoliating products have recently been in the spotlight due to the negative impact of toxic ingredients such as microplastic beads are having on the environment. Microplastic beads are used for exfoliation , and these beads are not biodegradable or environmentally friendly. They wash down the drain and into waterways, and biologists are finding these beads in fish and other marine animals and are documenting the negative impact on our ecosystems. Lemongrass Spa uses one hundred percent natural, biodegradable and environmentally friendly exfoliating ingredients in their body and facial polishes and Microdermabrasion Crème. We also offer a cotton boucle pad to use with our cleansing gels or soaps as another form of exfoliation. During the months of June and July enjoy one of our three exfoliating facial products below at Buy One, Get One Half Off!

Soften age spots and smooth fine lines with deep exfoliating, volcanic microcrystals suspended in a conditioning crème. Gently polish skin at home once or twice per week. This is a gentle alternative to chemical peels and harsh resurfacing. Enhanced with green tea, chamomile, licorice root and sunflower seed oil for added nutrients and anti-aging properties. Not recommended for extra-sensitive or thinning skin.

Recently I have seen many questions regarding more mature skin and its appearance with powdered mineral makeup. To this topic, I can speak with a bit of experience. A few precious months away from the big Five-Oh, I can tell you that I, like some of you, cannot wear the powdered minerals by themselves. Living in Colorado, my skin tends to be on the dry side and the powder alone can make my skin appear a little less youthful than I would like. I would LOVE to have the wrinkle and fine line free skin of my youth, but alas, those days are in my rearview mirror. However, hydrating and smoothing out the appearance of my skin with the Lemongrass Spa’s line of skin care and Sheer Minerals cosmetics is instrumental in keeping my skin healthy, moisturized and youthful.

Dehydration is a wrinkles best friend. Drink plenty of water, herbal tea and juice.

Pore Cleansing. When pores become congested with makeup, dead skin cells and dirt, they can appear larger and disrupt the smooth appearance of the skin. Using Microdermabrasion Crème and our clay-based facemasks once a week, as well as a daily toner, can cleanse and tighten the pores resulting in a smoother more youthful surface.

Nightly Serum regime. I cannot express enough the difference I have seen in my skin since I began using the Organic Anti Aging Oil Serum. It has been astounding to see the change from dull and dry to bright and supple.

Eye makeup remover. Pulling and stretching the skin around our eyes to remove makeup can damage the very delicate skin. Be gentle around this area that is so prone to damage. Use our emollient rich Organic Eye Makeup Remover for a dual-purpose eye makeup remover and vitamin rich healing moisturizer.

Primer OR BB Crème. I wouldn't recommend using both since the BB crème acts as a primer serum and foundation in one and can create a little too much "slip" for your blush and eye color to stay in place. The last thing you need is to look like you are melting.

If the BB Crème is not enough coverage for you, you can use both the powder and the BB Crème for a flawless finish. You can also combine your mineral foundation and your primer for the same effect. I like to tap a little bit of the powdered foundation into my Minerals Mate Mixing and Application Tray and then pump a small amount of BB Crème into a separate spot on the tray. Using my Kabuki Brush, I dab the brush into the BB Crème and then dip it into the powdered foundation and blend in a circular motion on my face. They blend beautifully and create a nice, light matte coverage without the tendency to "crack" in the wrinkles and fine lines.

Onward and upward. Whatever you are putting on your face after the foundation, blend UP. Whether its eye shadow, blush or bronzer, defy the effects of gravity by blending color upward.

Highlight to create a dewy look. Whatever blush or bronzer you have applied, mix it with a couple shakes of White Diamond Eye Shadow and dust on the prominent areas of your face (forehead, nose, cheekbones and chin) for a youthful sheen.

Ending on the same note I began, hydration: Use your Mineral Setting Spray frequently throughout the day. Bring your makeup and skin back to life with a spritz of setting spray multiple times daily. It brightens the look of your makeup as well as moisturizes and plumps the skin. Neroli is also a fantastic anti-aging ingredient for the skin.

Smile!! Nothing looks more youthful than a bright, welcoming smile.

“The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.” Audrey Hepburn

Mango butter is traditionally used in tropical regions to moisturize and heal skin but has found its way into Western skin care treatments. This fast absorbing, non-greasy fat is lightly scented, off-white in color and a solid at room temperature. Mango butter is extracted from the pulp of the mango seed, which is rich in oleic and stearic acidsand omega-9. It is similar to cocoa butter with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and antiseptic properties.

Mango butter is often used in wound care due to its ability to regenerate skin. In a study performed to test the effectiveness of mango butter on wound healing, specifically cracked skin, results demonstrated mango butter to completely repair skin and predominantly be “antiseptic, healing, soothing and cooling in most of the clinical subjects” as well as “actively replenish[ing] moisture, leaving the skin looking silky smooth and hydrated.”

Dry Skin

Mango butter increases hydration and is presumed to prevent drying of skin by reducing water loss from the epidermis. It’s used to treat dryness caused by eczema and psoriasis plus itchiness from rashes and bug bites.

Determining your skin type is simple but very important when figuring out what products to use and how to treat your skin. Knowing your skin type and conditions allows you to create your own skincare routine based on your skin’s personal needs. Keep in mind that our skin changes daily, seasonally, yearly and so on. It is always beneficial to evaluate where your skin is from time to time and make sure you are taking care of it properly. This will help lessen the frequency of skin problems. If your skin is not in the condition you would like it to be in, use the information below as a guide to help you.

There are four different skin types, normal, oily, dry and combination. The way you figure out what type of skin you have is your pore size. Do not look at any other skin conditions such as acne, hyperpigmentation, redness, and sensitivity. I will be going over those shortly. Normal skin, which is the ideal skin type, means you can see your pores, but they are not enlarged. If you are up close in a mirror and can see your pores, take a couple steps back and see if you can still see them. If you can’t, you have normal skin. If you step back from the mirror and can still see your pores, you have enlarged pores which means you have oily skin. If you can’t see any pores at all on your skin, then your skin type is dry. The most common skin type is combination, meaning that you have two different pore sizes on your face. Most people have a larger pore size in their T -zone (chin, nose and forehead) and that is why you see skin care companies market to combination/oily and combination/dry skin types; they gear their ingredients towards being beneficial for all skin types.

Contrary to what most people believe, you cannot change your pore size. Your pore size is genetic and it can change over time, but topical ingredients will not change the actual size. There are certain ingredients and precautions you can take to make them appear smaller and keep them clear, but the size you are born with is what you have to work with. Keep in mind that each skin type has its own battles (even dry and normal). Large pores, when kept clear, can produce enough oils on your skin to keep you looking youthful longer. There are pros and cons to every skin type, but accepting what you have and working with it is what will help you achieve your best skin.

Once you have determined your skin type, the next step is to look at what conditions you have. The most common skin conditions are acne, hyperpigmentation, skin texture, redness, sensitivity, scarring, wrinkles and fine lines. There are many companies that gear entire skin care lines towards these conditions. The easiest way to determine whether or not you need an entire line based on your condition is how much of your face it covers. If the condition covers the majority of your skin, I advise you to treat the condition first. I will use acne as an example. If acne is covering the majority of your face, then I would suggest using an acne line first. Most companies build their lines to work together and are more effective when used together. For instance an acne line may have a cleanser with tea tree oil in it to treat the acne and a skin lightener in the face crème to help with scars. Once that line has helped clear your skin and acne is no longer a condition (or covering the majority of the your face) go back to using skincare products for your skin type and spot treat if necessary. The most common mistake I see people make is they have one or two blemishes which leads them to think they have oily acne prone skin, therefore use an entire acne line. Their skin then becomes dry and irritated, normally causing the problem to get worse because they went about treating their skin wrong. You don’t have to have oily skin to have acne; this is why it is very important to know your skin type first. If you only have a couple of blemishes and the condition is not covering the majority of your skin, I advise using the skincare line based on your skin type and just spot treat for the condition; this way the majority of your skin stays balanced. You can, however, treat different conditions at the same time. If you have a couple lines on your forehead and some acne on your chin, go ahead and use a skincare line based on your skin type, and use a treatment for wrinkles on your forehead and a different treatment for acne on your chin.

By plugging in different skin conditions and types to the scenario above you should be able to come to a pretty clear conclusion on how to go about treating your skin. When in doubt always ask an esthetician or dermatologist to help guide you in the right direction.

Flaking, redness, cracking and acne are a few problems your skin could be struggling to fight during winter months unless you live in a tropical climate. Low precipitation, dry indoor air heat and hot showers zap moisture from skin leading to these challenges, but you can restore balance and hydration to parched skin, while soothing itchy irritated areas, with a few of Lemongrass Spa’s preferred healing ingredients.

Avocado Oil

Avocados are known to contain vitamins and fats essential for a well balanced diet, but when applied to the skin, avocado oil has amazing benefits. It is packed with nutrients vital for glowing, youthful skin such as monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. Avocado oil penetrates deep into the dermis delivering these nutrients and drawing in moisture, providing long-lasting hydration. As we age, collagen, the main component of connective tissue, breaks down and production decreases; avocado oil is thought to help boost collagen production leading to smoother, younger looking skin. Avocado oil also helps soothe irritations caused by skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

Olive oil’s lush history is as deep and rich as the golden hued substance itself. Native to Mediterranean countries, ancient cultures used olive oil for a variety of every day purposes such as food, fuel, beauty and possibly currency, and evidence suggests production began over 5,000 years ago. Revered for its health benefits, olive oil is the number one recommended fat for cooking and is now a staple of modern kitchens, but olive oil’s health benefits don’t stop with food. Olive oil is used to maintain the health of skin, nails and hair.

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. Now that we are all settling back into our routines, most of us are setting out to achieve our New Year’s resolutions. Whether it is to be more fit, find more time for yourself or eat healthier one of the easiest resolutions you can achieve is better skin!

Since there are many skincare myths, sometimes it can discourage people from starting a great skincare routine. Below I am going to answer some of the most common myths to help put your mind at ease.

Myth #1 You should only use oil-free products on oily skin.

It is now known that using oil on oily skin can help bring balance to the skin. People who have oily skin tend to strip it of all its natural oils and in return the skin overcompensates and produces more oil. This can be a tough cycle to break. If you are dealing with oily skin it is acceptable to use an oil-free product during the day and use oil at night. During the day you can obtain the benefits of matte skin by using an oil-free moisturizer and at night you can focus on rebalancing your skin with oil. Grape seed and jojoba oil are great for oily skin and those emollients are in our Tea Tree Face Crème.

From revealing a brand new magazine-style catalog, to launching a line of certified organic essential oils, to being named to the Top 100 Women Owned Companies for the second time, 2015 has been an incredible year for growth and opportunity. Here's our 2015 year in review.

Products

The introduction of innovative new products is one of the key elements in engaging our customers and creating excitement for our sales consultants. Sheer Minerals BB Crème (Beauty Balm) was a huge hit with our customers and consultants. This lightweight tinted moisturizer was offered in five shades to provide a ‘liquid foundation’ to those who prefer it. Inspired by the Pantone Color of the Year, Merlot Organic Crème Lipstickand Marsala Blush quickly became favorites among makeup wearers. An essential oil collection, complete with Fractionated Coconut Oil and rollerball vials for mixing blends, was introduced in the summer. Tea Tree, Lemon, Lavender, Peppermint single oils plus Immune Boost, Balancing Act and Mint Revival blends were offered to customers, in addition to many essential oil products we’ve been selling for years. We launched a revolutionary Prebiotic Facial Wash and Facial Mist at our annual convention in July. In addition to the popular Prebiotic Body Wash, this organic, GMO-free product works on a molecular level by stimulating good microorganisms on the skin and promoting collagen production. Prebiotic Foaming Liquid Soap was introduced in four varieties including Mandarin Orange, Candy Cane, Tea Tree with Citrus andUnscented.

Cocoa butter has been used for centuries to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. Although there is limited research regarding the correlation between cocoa butter and disappearing scars, a few small studies showing the potential for cocoa butter to maintain skin’s suppleness and elasticity. Because hydration is known for improving the appearance of skin, applying moisturizing cocoa butter can be effective in reducing scars.

Maintaining dewy, youthful skin is considered the top skincare concern for most women, while, according to popular men’s magazines, acne and dry skin top men’s skin care problems. Vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and other nutrients are needed to maintain suppleness and luminosity in both women and men. Outside of a balanced diet, serums are the perfect delivery system for providing the nutrients your skin needs. Serums apply a concentrated dose of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to the skin. Light and fast absorbing, these elixirs penetrate the inner layers of the dermis for a lasting effect and can be used with all skin types.

Lemongrass Spa enhanced its Green Tea Antioxidant and Organic Anti Aging Serums with an essential oil blend and anti aging complex to boost the rejuvenating effects. There are visible benefits of daily use of serum including softer, more supple skin, smoother appearance and natural vibrancy. Customers who have used the serums have noticed an improvement of overall elasticity of skin and less dryness, even in cold weather when used regularly. The Green Tea Antioxidant is a favorite among those with oily prone skin types and Organic Anti Aging (Oil) Serum is the preference for normal to dry skin types.